Thiruvananthapuram: In a first in Kerala, a government employee has been dismissed in connection with the dowry-related death of his wife.
Assistant Motor Vehicle Inspector S Kiran Kumar accused of torturing his wife Vismaya V Nair, who later committed suicide, was dismissed from service on Friday.
Transport Minister Antony Raju, who had earlier declared that he won't be visiting the family of the victim until action was taken against the accused, announced the dismissal at a press conference here on Friday.
Raju said that the decision was made based on an internal enquiry and after hearing the accused and witnesses. "AMVI S Kiran Kumar is dismissed from service as per clause 8, section 11 of the Kerala Civil Service Rules, 1960," said Raju. Quoting the section, the minister added that "the dismissal from service of the State Service of the government shall ordinarily be a disqualification for future employment".
Raju claimed that the dismissal validates the promise made by Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan that firm action will be taken on dowry-related incidents in the State.
Later, the minister said that he will be visiting Vismaya's family at Nilamel in Kollam on Monday. Even Governor Arif Mohammad Khan had visited the bereaved family members, but Raju had stayed away as the accused was part of the department that came under him.
"S Kiran Kumar, the main accused in the dowry death of his wife S V Vismaya, has been dismissed from Government service," Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan tweeted on Friday.
"Kerala will never turn a blind eye to crimes against women. We will continue our committed efforts to realise a gender-just society," Vijayan added.
Earlier, Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan had expressed concern over the deaths of women in connection with alleged dowry-related incidents in Kerala.
The CM had assured that stringent punishment will be taken against the perpetrators of such crimes.
He had then directed the State Police Chief to ensure efficient functioning of Domestic Conflict Resolution Centres in all districts to prevent violence against women.
This is a system where the district police chiefs hear the complaints of women victims directly and suggest solutions online.
Women facing dowry-related domestic violence can also approach the state police's 'Aparajitha is Online', launched to report cyber crimes against women.
Noting that it has been six decades since dowry was banned by law in the country, Vijayan flayed the prevalence of such a system as a very serious social disaster and urged steps from the families to wipe out this menace.
Vismaya was found hanging at Kiran's house at Sooranadu in Kollam district in late June. The 24-year-old had earlier shared images indicating torture from her husband with a relative.
